A light agenda awaits the Santa Maria City Council a day after the Labor Day holiday.

The staff presentation of a Growth Mitigation Annual Compliance Report for fiscal year 2007-08, a “receive and file” report, is the only regular business item on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. The accounting report is required under state law.

The 2007 Growth Mitigation Fee Program was adopted in May 2007, and became effective that July. The fees are revised every other year. Paid by developers, the fees are used to cover the costs of providing services to new residents.

The fees are based on a building's square footage. For example, the charge for a 1,901-square-foot home, considered average, is $23,741. Under the previous rate, the charge would have been $20,788.

Under the current rates, the city charges $5.07 per square foot for a detached single-family home to fund police, fire, recreation and parks, city hall and corporation yard projects. An additional $4.72 is charged per square foot for traffic improvements.

Water and waste water fees - $1,457 and $3,674 respectively - are charged at a flat rate.

On the consent calendar - a number of items considered as a group - the council is scheduled to consider a resolution naming the plaza fronting the new Santa Maria Public Library in honor of Mayor Larry Lavagnino for his contributions to the city. A commemorative plaque, at a cost of $1,200 according to the agenda report, would be placed near the plaza. Lavagnino has served on the council since 1996, and as mayor since 2002.

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The meeting is scheduled for

6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 110 E. Cook St.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 739-2219 or at jramos@santamariatimes.com.

September 1, 2008